Four months into the new fiscal year, Massac County’s commissioners officially adopted the 2014 budget on April 15. The total budget of $3,180,520 is a balanced budget, and up from last year’s budget of $3,173,500.

According to the budget, the commissioners anticipate receiving a total of $3,180,520 in revenue from various local fees, fines, sales and income taxes and reimbursements.

A source of concern for the commissioners is the condition of the courthouse building, which came under scrutiny at the end of March when an anonymous complaint was filed with Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) that read: “The courthouse is deteriorating due to lack of maintenance. The large courtroom on the upper level has been closed due to the ceiling caving in. There are leaks and plaster debris in adjacent areas. The roof is not safe and staff are afraid it will collapse. There are unusual odors and potential mold present from the continued water intrusion.”

After IDOL safety inspector Donald Swiatkowski inspected the courthouse from top to bottom, on March 27, another complaint was made to IDOL about the presence of possible asbestos and mold, which led to a second visit by Swiatkowski in the same week.

Following the safety inspections by IDOL, Massac County Sheriff Ted Holder and commissioners Jeff Weber, Jerel Childers and Jayson Farmer discussed the situation at the April 2 board meeting. According to Holder, Swiatkowski did not find any asbestos or mold and the majority of the issues he found surround the need for electrical upgrades.

One of the major maintenance items needed is a new roof. Commissioner Childers is spearheading the bidding process to install a new roof on the building. Childers said at the April 2 meeting there are most likely about three roofs on the courthouse and all probably holding water and would have to be removed.

As for the cost of a new roof, Commissioner Farmer pointed out the 2014 budget does include $100,000 that is set aside for the renovation to the courthouse roof.